FAIRFAX, VA. -  Hospice of Northern Virginia, Hospice of Prince George's County and Hospice Care of DC, collectively known as The Hospices of the National Capital Region, serving terminally ill people and their families since 1977, have been renamed Capital Hospice.  The organization remains a locally-based nonprofit that provides expert end-of-life care to all who seek it regardless of the nature of their illness, availability of a caregiver or inability to pay for hospice services.

 

“The name Capital Hospice is new, but our outstanding care has been known and trusted in the Washington area for decades,” said David English, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are privileged to work with patients and families at a critical phase in life. Our goal is to help each of our patients live every day to the fullest with as much comfort, peace and meaning as possible.”

Since 1977, the organization has cared for more than 35,000 terminally ill people and their loved ones. Capital Hospice has earned its reputation of being one of the oldest, largest and most experienced hospice care programs in the United States. It has more physicians, nurses and nursing assistants who are board-certified in hospice and palliative care than any other hospice organization in the Eastern United States.  It is one of few hospice organizations in the U.S. able to serve patients of any age.

 

Capital Hospice offers people with such life-limiting illnesses as Alzheimer’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), advanced heart, lung and kidney disease, and cancer, expert medical care focused on comfort and quality of life, rather than cure. Hospice care addresses pain and symptoms while supporting patients and their families emotionally and spiritually. Care is delivered by an inter-disciplinary team with special training in meeting the needs not only of the patient but also of their loved ones facing terminal illness and loss. Medical expertise is in palliative care – pain and symptom management – training typically not found outside of hospice. The care team includes a physician, a registered nurse, a certified nursing assistant, a dietician, a social worker, a non-denominational chaplain, a grief counselor and a trained volunteer. Physical therapists, occupational therapists and art therapists become part of the team as needed. 

 

Care for loved ones continues even after the patient dies.  Capital Hospice offers 13 months of grief support to the family.  This extensive program provides counseling, support groups, and workshops for individuals and families, weekend bereavement camps as well as art and music therapy to help cope with feelings of loss.

 

Hospice care is paid for in full by Medicare and most private insurance.

 

Ninety-percent of Americans have said they prefer to be at home at the end of their lives, and Capital Hospice provides care in the patient’s home, apartment, nursing home or assisted living facility. The organization serves community residents from six office locations across the region in Northern Virginia, Washington DC and Suburban Maryland.  Capital Hospice also

offers short-term, 24-hour care and respite care at its Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center in Arlington, VA. 

 

More than 600 Capital Hospice volunteers from communities all around Washington help to meet the individual needs of patients and families during the final months of life.

 

Many believe that hospice care can only benefit a patient and their family during the last few weeks or days of life.  Through Capital Palliative Care Consultants, a new program within Capital Hospice, pain and symptom management is provided to patients who may not yet need the full array of hospice services.  This can be administered in a long-term care facility or hospital setting.

 

For more information about the comprehensive services and community resources offered by Capital Hospice, visit www.capitalhospice.org or call 1.800.869.2136.